Bauchi emerges 2015 best cultural troupe in Calabar festival

BAUCHI State has emerged the 2015 best cultural troupe
at the ongoing Calabar festival, carting home a star prize
of N5 million after defeating five other states of Akwa
Ibom, Anambra, Oyo, Kogi, and Kaduna.
Also, in the local governments competition, Bakassi
topped the list carting home N3 million as the best overall
troupe after being adjudged as the best in the application
of the festival theme, entitled, “climate change”.
Flagging off the cultural parade at the Millennium Park,
Calabar, Cross River State Governor Prof Ben Ayade,
reiterated the determination of his administration to
improve upon the culture and heritage of the state in 2016.
The governor explained that Africa remains the last frontier
where civilisation, expansion, growth and opportunity are
becoming hilarious, hence, the need to focus on the
culture and heritage, improve and bring same to a level
that it becomes envy of the entire world.
“Today, Cross River is going to lead the entire Africa like
we did in the climate change because we believe in the
culture and heritage of the African people,” Ayade em­
phasised.
Urging the participating troupes to come out with their
best, the governor assured that “when you come back in
2016, you would see a renewed cultural parade with a
theme, style and culture, as well as a street dance with
African dimension.
“Culture is dynamic, it must grow and we must modernise
our culture to reflect the growth of Africa,” the governor
explained.
Ayade disclosed that special provisions had been made for
participating states as they would smile home with N3
million each while the overall winning state would cart
home N5 million as star prize.